Angels In the Moonlight

He was my friend and he lay dying All alone, just me and him But I knew no one could help him now Because life's thread was getting thin I'd built a campfire out of deadwood Wrapped him in his soogan tight Watched the campfire challenge darkness As the sunset welcomed night I put the coffee on from habit Though I knew he couldn't drink I hoped the smell would comfort him Maybe give me time to think The trip was one of many made For twenty years and more Just two old friends that fished high lakes And watched the eagles soar I'll never know what spooked his horse He was mountain bred and born But something made him rear and fall Pinned my pard beneath the horn His lungs were crushed past talking But his eyes were still alert As I eased his saddle 'neath his head He tried to hide his hurt I masked the tears that stormed my eyes There was no time to cry Somehow I had to find the strength To watch my best friend die I told him I was helpless I had done all I could do But I would stay with him until the end Then the hidden tears came through His hand moved slowly over mine Then he raised one finger high His gaze seemed fixed beyond the stars As he pointed to the sky His lips were slowly moving And though they uttered not a word I sensed that he was talking To some presence I'd not heard "Is it God that you are talking to," I asked, to try to understand His head moved slightly sideways As did the pressure from his hand I looked upward where he pointed But at first saw not a thing Then I seemed to sense and feel the beat Of something nearing on the wing As the full moon cleared the rugged peaks A lone owl gave its mournful call Dark shadows stirred of things unknown And I watched in silent awe I recalled a phrase from long ago Or was it whispered from the skies "To behold an Angel on the wing You must use your heart for eyes" There was magic in that moonlit glade I lost my fear of my friend's death A look of peace replaced the pain As he drew his final breaths "Is it Angels," I asked quietly A final nod, then all alone I watched Angels in the moonlight As they flew my old friend home